March was another good month for me in terms of using up empties. I got to recycle a bunch of empty full size bottles!
Let’s take a look and see what’s worth buying. We’ll start with skincare, my biggest category every month.
Skincare Empties
Full size:
- Bioderma Hydrabio Micellar Water: While I love the gentleness and hydration that I get from Bioderma Hydrabio, lately it hasn’t been doing as good a job removing my foundation and eye makeup as it seemed to in the past. Is it me, or is this bottle (my second of Hydrabio) not as good as the first? It seems like I have to use more cotton pads than previously. Repurchase? I already purchased another bottle that’s waiting in the wings. But before I open a new one, I will finish up the MyChelle Micellar Water and the Garnier Micellar Water that are already open.
- GloTherapeutics Cyto-Luxe Toning Mist: I like using a toner with extra skincare benefits like Cyto-Luxe Toning Mist. It smells great, a light fresh scent, and is gentle to use. Repurchase? Not now because I am testing another brand. But I do recommend it!
- L’Oreal Revitalift Volume Filler: I received L’Oreal Revitalift Volume Filler from Influenster a while ago. It is a good translucent gel serum. However, loss of volume isn’t one of my skincare problems. Repurchase? No. I don’t need this.
- L’Oreal Revitalift Eye Cream: Before I became a blogger, I used this eye cream most often for about 15 years. It’s a thick, white cream that definitely helped me stave off loose skin under the brow and crow’s feet for as long as I could. It’s very gentle. I still like it! Repurchase? No. I have several eye creams to test. However, I strongly recommend it, especially for women around age 40 or so. It’s a good value and it works.
- MyChelle Perfect C PRO Serum 25%: Although my pump leaked a bit around the neck, I really enjoyed this new, more potent version of Michelle’s Perfect C PRO Serum. It’s an amber colored liquid with a pleasant scent that fades on application. I liked the pump dispenser. The only downside is that I went through it rather quickly. Repurchase? No, I’m testing another Vitamin C serum now.
- Market Basket Cotton Rounds: Because I couldn’t find my usual brand of cotton rounds at Costco, I bought the store brand at my supermarket. They were OK and affordable, but not as soft as my usual brand. Repurchase? No. I found my regular cotton rounds brand at Costco, and I stocked up again.
Deluxe samples:
- Skinceuticals B5 Hydrating Mask: Now I know why I need to take notes when I use samples. I remember that I liked this Hydrating B5 Mask from Skinceuticals, but I don’t remember anything about it. How embarrassing. Repurchase? No. I have a ton of mask.
- Lily Farm Nourishing Rose Toner: This witch hazel-based toner was organic, and it left my skin feeling clean, soft and hydrated. Although it is billed as “Nourishing Rose”, it had only a faint rose scent. As I mentioned witch hazel was more prominent. It’s a nice toner. Repurchase? No, I prefer other toners.
- Belif Peat Miracle Revital Eye Cream: I really liked this rich, white eye cream from Belif. It was very hydrating and gentle to my sensitive eye skin. Repurchase? Not right now because I’m testing another brand. But it’s on my purchase list for the future.
Body and Haircare Products
Full size:
- StriVectin Conditioner for Color-Treated Hair: A very good conditioner with a faint fresh scent works well to detangle my hair. I liked it. Repurchase? Although I liked this conditioner, I prefer StriVectin All Smooth (anti-frizz) Conditioner.
- Tarocco Nourishing Moisturizer: I first tried this moisturizer a year ago at a hotel we stayed at in Sedona AZ, and I liked it so much, I bought a full bottle. It has a fabulous citrus scent. It’s a lightweight body moisturizer that’s good for me for the summer but it isn’t hydrating enough for the colder weather. Repurchase? No. I’m drowning in body lotions and body butter.
- Nature Island Botanicals Handmade Bar Soap: I just adore Daphne’s handmade natural soaps made with organic ingredients. I’ve been using them for more than 10 years. Repurchase? I shop with her every July when she comes to town. I have 3 more bars waiting for me!
- Manuka Tropical Coconut Lime Hand Cream: This was the third tube of hand cream I had received from Pacific Resources International. I loved the emollient but lightweight formula. However, I preferred the unscented version. Repurchase? I will buy the unscented one as soon as I finish up two other tubes of hand cream that I am testing out. Manuka hand cream is a keeper!
Travel size and Sample size:
- The Body Shop Strawberry Body Butter: OMG, the scent of this strawberry body butter was amazing. It truly smelled like real strawberries. And the formula was the usual fabulous body butter formula from TBS. Repurchase? If I didn’t have a huge tub and another regular size tub of other body butters from TBS with different scents, I would. I love the strawberry scent! It would also make a great gift for a fruit scent lover.
- Figs & Rouge Mango Mandarin Hand Cream: I received this in one of my subbie bags/boxes, and it was great to throw into my purse makeup bag. But it was too thin for me in general. Repurchase? No.
- Anna’s Orange Body Butter: I received this sample of Anna’s organic orange body butter along with a couple of other samples from the brand in a pretty embroidered pouch. Unfortunately the scent was HORRIBLE. It smelled nothing like orange. Repurchase? NO!
- Perfectly Posh Honey Honey Body Butter: Unfortunately there was so little of this in the little sample container that I could only put it on my arm. If you’re going to send me a sample for review, please send enough that I can form an opinion. Repurchase? No.
- Tarocco Face and Body Bar Soaps: I received these travel size Tarocco Face and Body bar soaps at a hotel in Sedona. I liked them both. The translucent soap has natural grains in it for gentle exfoliation. The scent of both of them is a lovely citrus. Repurchase? I believe I have a few more in my stash.
Makeup
Full size:
- Too Faced Lash Gasm Mascara: I know I’m a weirdo, but I prefer Too Faced Lash Gasm to Better Than Sex. I strongly prefer the thin, plastic toothed wand of Lash Gasm. BTS always makes my lashes clump. Repurchase? Yes. I’ve bought about 5 tubes so far of this mascara, one of my favorites.
- Stila Smudge Stick Waterproof Eye Liner Pencil, white: This is the second Stila Eye Liner Pencil that I’ve purchased that came with a broken tip and not much product inside or that I wasn’t able to get to twist up. Disappointing. Repurchase? I give up. No.
Deluxe sample:
- Hourglass Ambient Primer Mood Light: I really liked this color correcting face primer. It’s a lavender shade and helped camouflage my dark spots. Repurchase? Yes. I think I’ll buy this primer instead of Hourglass Mineral Veil.
Samples
- Masqueology Collagen Hydrogel Goldmask (single use sheet mask): I loved this hydrogel collagen/gold mask. It came in two pieces and was easy to apply, and it stayed on without me having to lie down. It was loaded with mask essence. Repurchase? Yes! At $2.50, it’s a steal.
- Racinne Ultimate Youth Power Cream: I have a box of assorted samples from luxury Korean brand, Racinne. This medium weight face cream was terrific. Very hydrating, no or light scent. Repurchase? I have more in the box. Racinne is definitely a brand I would consider buying.
- Perfectly Posh Dive In Bar Soap: I adored this very very hydrating bar soap that smells like the ocean. Repurchase? Yes, I will after I use up some of the soaps I have. This is a fabulous bar soap for very dry skin like mine.
- Perfectly Posh Dawn On Me Daytime Facial Oil: I absolutely loved this fresh green color, lightweight lime fragranced face oil. I made this small packet sample last a week because I loved it so much. Fabulous! Repurchase? Yes! A must have!
- Perfectly Posh Envy This Tightening and Brightening Face Mask: I don’t usually use clay masks, but this kaolin mask had other hydrating ingredients in it that helped leave my skin feeling clean, not dry, firmer and glowing. I only got to use it once, but I liked it a lot. Repurchase? I have way too many masks. Otherwise, I would definitely consider buying it.
What’s your Reaction?
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Impressive empties, Allison! You used up so many products!
Lola Seicento recently posted…Barneys New York Spring Gift Bag with $200.00 Purchase
So happy to recycle the full size products and make more room! You know that feeling 🙂
I’m really curious to try out the Perfectly Posh Envy This Tightening and Brightening Face Mask. I’ve been searching for a mask that would leave my skin feeling hydrated but not greasy and that sounds like it could be a good one. My skin has been really dry this past year.
Ashley | Far Beyond Love recently posted…WWII Novels Worth Reading
I’ve read so many mixed reviews on the Hourglass primer so it’s good to know that you like it enough for a repurchase. I want to try getting my hands on a sample first though.
Shireen L. Platt recently posted…Introducing DERMAFLASH, The New Facial Exfoliating Treatment
If you have a Sephora nearby, they’ll definitely give you a sample. I am a real fan of Hourglass primers. I am just finishing up Mineral Veil and I also use No. 28 for seriously dry older skin like mine. This one is more lightweight by far than No. 28 and less silicone-y than Mineral Veil, I would say. It does a good job in covering my dark spots. I think it will have the right consistency for me for the warmer weather months, and then I’ll go back to No. 28 in the winter. If you try a sample, LMK what you think. It comes in several shades like the powder
Thanks for the info on the Hourglass Ambient Primer! I have dark spots too.
You’re welcome, Sandy! I’m hoping that there’ll be a Sephora VIB discount coming up soon because I intend to pick it up. I forgot to look yesterday when I was scoping out stuff at Sephora if they sell a travel size near the checkout counter. Next time you go to Sephora, ask them to make you a sample so you can try it out first!
Good idea and will check for travel size too!
🙂 LMK what you think about it!
I love your March Review of the products that you used I want to try this Too Faced Gasm now!
Ursula
I think it’s a great mascara. One of my faves for several years now.
Good job, girl!
I am hoarding and trying to make my Cyto Luxe Toning Mist last as long as possible but it’s almost gone.
Erika recently posted…Got Dry Skin? Get Farm House Fresh Sunflower Honey Butter
I did the same thing. The Cyto-Luxe and a toner from MEG-21 are my two fave toners with extra benefits!
How the double H Hocky Sticks do you use up so much skincare? I’ve got drawers of it! Good for you!
Cindy (Prime Beauty) recently posted…New! Benefit GALifornia Blush Here Comes The Sun!
LOL. I am motivated coz I’ve got so much of it!
Yum! I’d love to try that strawberry body butter from The Body Shop! Sounds unbelievable. I had the mango one, but I ended up giving it to someone!
Shipra recently posted…Get Beach Ready with the ColourPop Monochromatic Sand Collection
Gee, if you didn’t like the mango maybe you wouldn’t like the strawberry either. It’s very fruity which, for me, is a good thing 😉
Great empties post. I have a deluxe sample of the Hourglass so I need to get it out to use it. I’m working on emptying things and it’s working (slowly of course).
MarciaF recently posted…Hoppy Easter from Lush!
I’ll be curious about what you think about the Hourglass Ambient Primer. It did a good job covering my dark spots (you probably don’t have any!), and I thought it would be hydrating enough for spring/summer. If Sephora has their VIB coupon event this month, I’m thinking I’ll buy it.
So many empties! I love Hourglass’s Mineral Veil primer.
Phyrra recently posted…Too Faced, Anastasia Beverly Hills, Sigma, $200 PayPal Giveaway
My goodness, Allison! You did good this month!
I always find your empties incredibly impressive!!!
Polarbelle recently posted…ARTIS BRUSH SALE ON HSN.COM TODAY
Wow Allison, you used up a ton of stuff! Good for you! I am also using currently the MyChelle Vitamin C serum and just like yours: mine is leaking. So something must be wrong with the packaging. It smells a bit weird but I feel like it is a really good serum.
This is such a smart and cool feature. I really loved reading your very honest reviews of what you used, whether they were effective and if you did or didn’t like it.
I’m jealous of this idea! It’s such a great way to keep your readers informed, I wish I had thought of it myself.
Keep up the great work!
PJ recently posted…Beauty Product Review: It Cosmetics Confidence in a Compact™ with SPF 50+
PJ, I wish I could say that I came up with the idea myself, but many bloggers do it and I stole it. You should too! It’s a great way to do mini-reviews after you’ve had a good long time to try something out. Often I change my mind about something or end up loving it even more!
WOAH that’s a lot this month!
Stephanie Louise Telford recently posted…Feeling the Love Birthday Nail Art- Holo, Rainbow, & Hearts Oh My!
I might, but it takes me a really long time to finish things. And sometimes at the end of the month, I haven’t finished everything.
PJ recently posted…Beauty Product Review: It Cosmetics Confidence in a Compact™ with SPF 50+
You can do it once a quarter, PJ! No one will remember 😉
Allison– just got the notification about your comment….love the ‘net! I think I might do this, it’s such a clever idea. THank you!
PJ recently posted…Adults-Only Sleepovers Are Coming Back to New York City’s American Museum of Natural History